Dispensers for syrups and like commodities



1, 1964 M. c. s. COOKSON DISPENSERS FOR SYRUPS AND LIKE COMMODITIESFiled June 1, 1962 \NVENTOR MAYNARD C. S. COOKSON Y Wwol ATTQRN YSUnited States Patent 3,144,177 DISPENSERS FOR SYRUPS AND LIKECOMMODITIES Maynard Charles Scott Cookson, 3 Vautier St., Elwood,Victoria, Australia Filed June 1, 1962, Ser. No. 199,492 Claimspriority, application Australia June 7, 1961 7 Claims. (Cl. 222-309)This invention relates to syrup and other liquid dispensers of the kindadapted to deliver from a container a predetermined quantity of liquidunder pressure. The pressure may be applied manually, for example bymeans of an operating knob or the like, or mechanically, and permits thedelivery of liquid by pressure and thus distinguishes dispensers of thekind indicated from those of the gravity-feed variety.

' For convenience, the present invention will be hereinafter describedwith reference to a dispenser wherein the liquid is delivered from apoint higher than its maximum free surface in the container. However, itis to be realized that the invention is not so limited since theprovision of suitable outlet means will also permit pressurized deliveryof the liquid from points below its free surface in the container.

In the past, syrups, cordials, essences and like substances used forexample in milk bars and similar establishments have generally beenstored in vessels arranged on or near the counter and dispensed as andwhen required by using a spoon, ladle or the like. With a view toovercoming the inconvenience of such an operation, mechanical devicesusing a piston-cylinder arrangement in conjunction with rigid valveshave been proposed. However unless the piston and cylinder be of highquality, it has usually been found that the quantity of syrup dispensedat each operation is far from constant and in any event, the mechanismis liable to offer substantial resistance due to friction and to showrapid wear due to the existence of abrasive or other solid matter inmany kinds of syrups for which these devices are required.

Furthermore, the operation of the valves in many mechanical forms ofdispenser known and used hitherto has generally been impaired as aresult of the presence of pulp, seeds and like solid matter in theliquid. Thus the consistency of the amount dispensed has often beenmaterially affected.

The primary object of this invention is to provide an improved dispenserof the kind indicated which may be conveniently used for syrups of awide variety of viscosities, and is capable of correct functioningnotwithstanding the presence of solid matter such as small pips, seedsand the like.

i A further object is to provide a dispenser of the kind indicatedincorporating substantial simplifications and improvements in design inregard to manufacturing costs compared with dispensers of this natureknown and used hitherto.

The above and other objects and advantages will become apparenthereinafter.

According to the present invention, a liquid dispenser of the kindindicated comprises a liquid container or reservoir susceptible toatmospheric pressure, a dispensing head incorporating non-return valvemeans, a discharge chamber capable of receiving liquid from thecontainer, and control means adapted upon actuation by application ofpressure to forceably eject a predetermined quantity of liquid from thedischarge chamber through the dispensing head, said non-return valvemeans permitting efilux of the ejected liquid but minimizing back-flowof liquid to the discharge chamber, the arrangement being such that asubstantially consistent quantity of liquid is ejected each time thecontrol means is actuated.

ice

In order that the invention may be better understood, reference will nowbe made to the accompanying drawings which are to be considered as partof this specification and read herewith. In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a sectional elevation of a preferred form of liquiddispenser in accordance with the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a sectional elevation of part of the dispenser illustratedin FIGURE 1, on a somewhat larger scale and showing the position andshape of the diaphragm at the completion of the discharge stroke;

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of a preferred form of diaphragm unitcapable of forming a component of the dispenser illustrated in FIGURES land 2, and

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of a preferred form of non-return valvemeans capable of forming a component of the dispersing head of thedispenser illustrated in FIG- URE 1.

The dispenser illustrated includes a liquid container 5 adapted to holda quantity of the liquid in which the free surface 5a is susceptible toatmospheric pressure. Fixed within and adjacent the bottom 13 of thecontainer, preferably by means of screws 6, is a substantially circularhousing 7 adapted to accommodate a diaphragm unit 8, the diaphragmforming with a base portion 7a of housing 7 a discharge chamber(indicated generally by 9). Housing 7 is preferably of rigid plastic orlike material and has a head portion 7b which may be detachablyconnected to the base portion 7a by means of screw threads 10 or in anyother suitable manner.

Base portion 7a of the housing 7 is provided with one or more inletports 11 and an outlet port 12, the former being preferably as close aspracticable to the bottom 13 of container 5 whereby substantially thewhole of the contents of the container may be discharged therefrom ashereinafter described.

The top 14 of the container is open to atmospheric pressure and maycomprise a top wall in the form of a lid having a fixed portion 15 and aportion 16 which is hinged or otherwise movable to allow forreplenishing the container when necessary.

Diaphragm 8 is preferably substantially hemispherical or cup-shaped andis suitably mounted on a reciprocatory rod 17 as at 42 (see FIG. 1). Therod 17 is spring influenced as hereinafter described so as to maintainthe diaphragm 8 normally in an upper position (see FIG- URE l) withrespect to the base portion 7a of its housing 7, this normal upperposition providing a maximum volume for the discharge chamber 9. Thehead portion 7b of the housing is advantageously shaped so assubstantially to conform to the shape assumed by the diaphragm 8 when inthe normal position and provides the upper limit to the stroke(FIGURE 1) which is maintained under the action of the springinfluencedrod 17. The head portion 7b of the housing may have an aperture 18 ofany desired shape or size through which rod 17 may pass. It may be founddesirable to provide a comparatively small aperture whereby uponmovement of the diaphragm 8, a maximum amount of turbulence is impartedto liquid 19 in the container, the agitation thus produced serving morecompletely to mix the syrup and suspended pulp or any other insolublematter substantially uniformly throughout the body of liquid in thecontainer. The same effect may be obtained, for example, by providing anappropriately shaped agitator or paddle on the rod itself. Diaphragm 8may form part of an integral diaphragm unit as shown in FIGURE 3 and maybe of rubber, plastic or any other flexible material having a radiallyoutwardly extending, continuous locating flange 20 which extendslaterally so that it may be secured between the head 71; of its housing7 and an upwardly facing shoulder 21 adjacent the upper periphery of thebase portion 7a. Formed integrally with diaphragm arse-n77 8 is a flapvalve 22 which is relatively thin, flexible and depends from thelocating flange 20 at or adjacent its junction with the diaphragm. Thevalve 22 is thus of arcuate formation in plan and of appropriate lengthand breadth effectively to overlie and close the inlet port 11.Furthermore, the flap valve 22 is advantageously tapered on its innersurface to a fine feather edge 22a around its perimeter.

An outlet pipe or passage 23 leads from outlet port 12 to a dispensinghead (denoted generally by 24) preferably detachably mounted on thecontainer and including a cup member 25, preferably of rigid plastic orlike transparent material, adapted to accommodate a non-return valveunit (see FIGURE 4). Cup member 25 has an intake port 26 in its sidewall, the port being connected by means of a tube 26a to the outlet pipeor passage 23, and an open discharge orifice 27 in its base. When thedispenser is to be used for essences, wines or other liquids ofrelatively low viscosity, it is preferred that the discharge orifice 27be substantially smaller in area than would be desirable for less mobileliquids. j

The non-return valve in the dispensing head 24 may be formed as part ofan integral unit composed of rubber, flexible plastic or like flexiblematerial (see FIG. 4). Such a unit comprises a body portion (indicatedgenerally by 29) substantially circular in plan and of suitabledimensions to locate firmly in cup member 25 (see FIG. 1), a continuousflange 30, and a membraneous displaceable portion constituting a flapvalve 31, arcuate in plan, which valve depends from the body 29 and isprovided on its inner surface with a centrally disposed, longitudinalstiffening rib 33, substantially parallel to the axis of the whole unit.The flap valve is of suflicient length and breadth effectively tooverlie and close the inside of the intake port 26 and may be secured inposition, for example, by the clamping of flange 30 between a continuoushead portion 28 of the cup member 25 and a screw cap 34 co-operabletherewith.

The reciprocatory rod 17 is screw threaded adjacent its upper end and isco-operable with an internallythreaded adjusting bush 37 which isprovided with a head portion having a lateral projection 27a locatedoutside the container. The container has a top wall formed with aninwardly extending sleeve 35 defining an aperture in the top wall andhaving a radially inwardly extending flange 36 at its inermost end. Acompression spring 41 is located Within the sleeve 35 between the innerend of bush 37 and flange 36, the sleeve being adapted to receive thebody of bush 37 in slidable relationship so that rod 17 and bush 37 arelongitudinally slidable relative to sleeve 35 in order to actuate thediaphragm 8. The length of stroke of the reciprocating movement of rod17, and hence the predetermined volume of liquid discharged (which issubstantially equal to the volume of liquid displaced by the diaphragm),is determined by the position in which the bush 37 is located on the rod17. The upper limit of the stroke, corresponding to the normal position,is reached when an upper surface of the diaphragm mounting 42 contactsthe inner surface of the head portion 71) of the diaphragm housing 7,while the lower limit, corresponding to the contracted position, isreached when projection 37a on the adjusting bush 37 contacts theexternal surface of top wall 15.

The threaded upper end of rod 17 may be fitted with a lock nut 39co-operable with the head of the bush 37 to retain the bush in anydesired position on the rod. The upper end 38 of rod 17 is preferablyfitted with an appropriately shaped push knob 40.

In use, the container is charged to a suitable extent with liquid andthe air within the discharge chamber expelled, for example, byvigorously operating the push knob for a number of strokes. This has theeffect of leaving the discharge chamber and dispensing head full 4 ofliquid. It will be evident that when released, the spring 41 functionsto raise the diaphragm 8 and permit its associated flap valve to bepushed clear of the inlet port 11 by liquid in the container, whichliquid is under the influence of atmospheric pressure. When thedischarge chamber is thus charged a quantity of liquid therein may bedischarged when required simply by depressing the push knob 40 whichfunctions to depress the diaphragm 8 and expel a quantity of liquid(predetermined by the setting of bush 37 relatively to rod 17) throughthe outlet pipe 23, past the non-return valve in the dispensing head 24,and out through the discharge orifice 27. During this discharge process,the flap valve 22 is held closed over the port 11 by virtue of thegreater than atmospheric pressure existing within the discharge chamber9.

The construction of the non-return valves in the dispensing head anddischarge chamber permits eflicient functioning of the dispenser evenwhen syrups containing pips, seeds and like solid matter are used. Moreparticularly in the case of the non-return valve in the dispensing head,the thin membraneous structure of the flap allows it closely to blanketany small seed which may be caught between it and its mating surface andhence the functioning of the valve is virtually unaffected.

Furthermore, the rib 33 provided on the flap valve 31 serves to stiffenthe valve and thus tends to return it immediately to its unflexedposition when the deflecting pressure is removed, and also prevents itstotal collapse into the intake port 26 during the upward movement of thediaphragm 8.

It will be readily apparent from the foregoing that a dispenser inaccordance with this invention is compartively simple in constructionand contains few working parts which are liable to require frequentattention, adjustment or replacement, and the particular construc tionallows for rapid cleaning of the dispenser in the event of it beingrequired for a different liquid. In addition it will be evident that thepresent invention overcomes the stated disadvantages encountered inprior types of piston-cylinder dispenser, more particularly in that itdoes not incorporate rigid valves and is less costly to produce.

Furthermore, it will be evident that the invention is readily applicableto the dispensing of cordials or syrups simultaneously with dilutingfluids such as milk, water or soda water by mechanical means associatedwith the push knob 40 of the dispenser.

When the dispenser is not in use, i.e. when there is no pressure appliedto the reciprocatory rod 17, liquid will tend to flow back to thecontainer via the discharge chamber 9, thus tending to reduce thepressure in the dispensing head 24 to a value slightly below that of theatmosphere. Consequently, due to the relatively small area of thedischarge orifice 27 in the dispensing head 24, the flap valve 31 willtend to remain seated against the intake port 26 so that liquid isretained in the dispensing head by virtue of atmospheric pressure actingupwardly through the orifice 27.

In a preferred form, the discharge orifice 27 has a continuous upwardprojection around its top edge which extends into the cup member 25 toprovide a retaining wall 43. The wall 43 serves to retain the last ofthe cup member contents and thus minimises dripping through thedischarge orifice 27 in the event of the flap valve 31 failing tooperate in which case most of the cup member contents flow back to thecontainer via the discharge chamber 9 and the retaining influence of theatmospheric pressure is removed.

As the consistency of the quantity dispensed depends inter alia, on theliquid being retained in the dispensing head 24 when the dispenser isnot in use, it will be noted that both valves 22 and 31 cooperate toprevent the liquid raining back into the container via the dischargechamber 9. Any failure in this regard will be immediately apparent byvirtue of the transparency of the cup member 25 and is indicated bypresence of air therein. The liquid is held at the discharge orifice 27by atmospheric ressure and is thus prevented from accumulating upon anyexposed surface and eventually dropping from the dispensing head underits own weight.

The actual area exposed to contamination by dust and flies is relativelysmall and the transparent dispenser head also serves as an indicator ofthe contents of the disenser. It is therefore desirable to have the cupmemher as large as possible, the only limitation being due to thenecessity for the complete removal of air from the cup member by theliquid as it flows through the dispensing head during the initialfilling and charging operation hereinbefore described.

By the use of suitable outlet means, the dispenser is suited to theinjection of liquids such as cream or sauce into pies or the like, andis not necessarily confined to the dispensing of liquids from a pointhigher than the liquid surface level in the container.

It will also be apparent that diluting liquids may be introduced intothe outlet valve housing, which housing can thus serve as a mixingchamber for the two liquids an can therefore be larger than normallyallowable since the removal of air would be performed by the flow of thediluting liquid.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is.

l. A liquid dispenser of the kind indicated comprising a containeradapted to hold a quantity of liquid, the surface of the liquid beingsusceptible to atmospheric pressure, a dispensing head located above themaximum level of said surface and including a transparent housing ofgenerally circular-cross-section having an intake port in one sidethereof and a discharge orifice in its base, said housing containing anintegral non-return valve unit of flexible material which consists of abody portion substantially circular in plan, a continuous flange, and amembraneous flap valve, said flap valve being arcuate in plan anddepends from said body so as to overlie and close the inside of theintake port and having on its inner surface a centrally disposedlongitudinal stiffening rib, said continuous flange being secured tosaid housing so retaining the valve unit therein, a diaphragm housingfixed within and adjacent the bottom of the reservoir, said diaphragmhousing consisting of a head portion and engageable base portion, thebase portion being provided with at least one inlet port and an outletport, said diaphragm housing accommodating an integral diaphragm unit offlexible material having a radially outwardly extending continuouslocating flange adapted to be secured between the head and base portionsof the housing, the diaphragm unit defining with the base portion avariable volume-discharge chamber communicating with the main reservoirby means of said inlet port and with the dispensing head by means of anoutlet pipe connected to the outlet port, the diaphragm unit having acup-shaped diaphragm and a flexible flap valve depending therefrom so asto overlie and close the inlet port, the valve being tapered on itsinner surface to a feathered edge around its perimeter, a reciprocatorycontrol rod attached adjacent a lower end thereof to the diaphragm andarranged to pass through an aperture in the head portion of the housing,said control rod being screw-threaded adjacent its upper end toco-operate with an internally-threaded adjusting bush provided with ahead having a lateral projection located outside the container, saidcontainer having a top wall formed with an inwardly extending sleeveadapted to receive the bush in sliding relationship, a compressionspring located within the sleeve between an inwardly extending flangeintegral therewith and the inner end of the bush, said lateralprojection being adapted to abut against the top wall and thus limit themovement of the rod through the sleeve, and adjustment of the bushrelative to the rod 6 therefore permits the diaphragm movement, andconsequently the effective volume of liquid ejected from the dischargechamber, to be varied, the arrangement being such that the non-returnvalve unit permits liquid to be ejected under downward pressure exertedon the control rod but minimizes back-flow of liquid to the dischargechamber when said pressure is removed.

2. A liquid dispenser of the kind indicated comprising a container forliquid the interior of which is subject to atmospheric pressure, adiaphragm housing including a base portion and a head portion, an inletport in said base portion communicating with the interior of saidcontainer for reception of liquid therefrom, an outlet port in said baseportion, a dispensing head, conduit means connecting said outlet port ofsaid dispensing head, a restricted outlet orifice located in saiddispensing head above the maximum liquid level in the container, aflexible diaphragm unit including a substantially hemisphericaldiaphragm with a radially outwardly extending continuous locating flangeclamped between said head and base portions, the diaphragm defining withsaid base portion a discharge chamber the volume of which increases anddecreases upon expansion and contraction respectively of the diaphragm,said diaphragm unit further including a flexible flap valve dependingfrom said diaphragm locating flange to overlie said inlet port, saidflap valve yielding under pressure of liquid in said container when saiddiaphragm is expanded to permit passage of liquid into said diaphragmhousing through the inlet port, but closing said inlet port underpressure of liquid in the diaphragm housing upon contraction of saiddiaphragm to prevent backflow of liquid from the discharge chamber tothe container, pressure controlled means to move said diaphragm betweenexpanded and contracted positions, means for limiting movement of saiddiaphragm to provide a selected constant, predetermined change of volumeof the discharge chamber between said expanded and contracted positionsof the diaphragm, spring means urging said control means to retain saiddiaphragm in its expanded position corresponding to the maximum volumeof the discharge chamber, said dispensing head including an inletopening having an associated valve seating and communicating with saidconduit means, nonreturn valve means in the form of a valve unit offlexible material having a body portion secured within the dispensinghead and a displaceable portion integral with the body portion andcooperating with said valve seating, whereby upon operation of saidpressure control means to contract the diaphragm, the displaceableportion of the valve unit in the dispensing head is unseated to permitejection of said predetermined volume of liquid through said restrictedopening and upon removal of pressure from said control means, thedisplaceable portion of the valve unit is caused, by virtue of thepressure difference set up on opposite sides thereof, to seat on saidvalve seating to minimize back flow to liquid to the discharge chamber.

3. A liquid dispenser as claimed in claim 2 wherein the means forlimiting diaphragm movement is adjustable whereby the quantity of liquidejected from the discharge chamber is variable between a maximum volumeand proportions thereof.

4. A liquid dispenser as claimed in claim 2 wherein said body portion ofthe non-return valve unit is substantially circular in plan and has acontinuous flange integral therewith, and the displaceable portionincludes a flexible membrane depending from the body portion ofsufficient area to effectively overlie and close said inlet opening inthe dispensing head, said membrane having on its inner surface acentrally disposed, longitudinal stiffening rib extending substantiallyparallel to the axis of the body portion.

5. A liquid dispenser as claimed in claim 4 wherein said membrane istapered on its inside surface to form a feathered edge around itsperimeter.

6. A liquid dispenser according to claim 5, wherein said rib of thenon-return valve unit is thicker at its root where it joins the body,and is tapered toward the free end of the membrane.

7. A liquid dispenser as claimed in claim 2 wherein said control meansincludes a reciprocatory rod attached adjacent its lower end to thediaphragm and screw threaded adjacent its upper end to co-operate withan internally threaded adjusting bush, said bush being provided with ahead portion having a lateral projection located outside the container,said container having a top Wall formed with an inwardly-extendingsleeve slidably receiving said bush, and said spring means including acompression spring located within the sleeve between an inwardly eX-tending flange integral therewith and the inner end of the bush, saidlateral projection being movable to abut against the top wall of thecontainer and thus limit the movement of the rod through the sleeve,whereby adjustment of the bush relative to the rod therefore permits theelfective volume of liquid ejected from the discharge chamber to bevaried.

t References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,951,910 Heffner et al Mar. 20, 1934 2,449,573 White Sept. 21, 19482,702,147 Brown Feb. 15, 1955 2,777,397 Atkinson Jan. 15, 1957 2,856,101Vermette Oct. 14, 1958 2,881,795 Waldenrnaier et al Apr. 14, 19592,985,111 Henderson May 23, 1961 3,045,605 Nutten et al. July 24, 1962FOREIGN PATENTS 212,708 Austria Jan. 10, 1961 343,327 France Oct. 1,1904

2. A LIQUID DISPENSER OF THE KIND INDICATED COMPRISING A CONTAINER FORLIQUID THE INTERIOR OF WHICH IS SUBJECT TO ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE, ADIAPHRAGM HOUSING INCLUDING A BASE PORTION AND A HEAD PORTION, AN INLETPORT IN SAID BASE PORTION COMMUNICATING WITH THE INTERIOR OF SAIDCONTAINER FOR RECEPTION OF LIQUID THEREFROM, AN OUTLET PORT IN SAID BASEPORTION, A DISPENSING HEAD, CONDUIT MEANS CONNECTING SAID OUTLET PORT OFSAID DISPENSING HEAD, A RESTRICTED OUTLET ORIFICE LOCATED IN SAIDDISPENSING HEAD ABOVE THE MAXIMUM LIQUID LEVEL IN THE CONTAINER, AFLEXIBLE DIAPHRAGM UNIT INCLUDING A SUBSTANTIALLY HEMISPHERICALDIAPHRAGM WITH A RADIALLY OUTWARDLY EXTENDING CONTINUOUS LOCATING FLANGECLAMPED BETWEEN SAID HEAD AND BASE PORTIONS, THE DIAPHRAGM DEFINING WITHSAID BASE PORTION A DISCHARGE CHAMBER THE VOLUME OF WHICH INCREASES ANDDECREASES UPON EXPANSION AND CONTRACTION RESPECTIVELY OF THE DIAPHRAGM,SAID DIAPHRAGM UNIT FURTHER INCLUDING A FLEXIBLE FLAP VALVE DEPENDINGFROM SAID DIAPHRAGM LOCATING FLANGE TO OVERLIE SAID INLET PORT, SAIDFLAP VALVE YIELDING UNDER PRESSURE OF LIQUID IN SAID CONTAINER WHEN SAIDDIAPHRAGM IS EXPANDED TO PERMIT PASSAGE OF LIQUID INTO SAID DIAPHRAGMHOUSING THROUGH THE INLET PORT, BUT CLOSING SAID INLET PORT UNDERPRESSURE OF LIQUID IN THE DIAPHRAGM HOUSING UPON CONTRACTION OF SAIDDIAPHRAGM TO PREVENT BACKFLOW OF LIQUID FROM THE DISCHARGE CHAMBER TOTHE CONTAINER, PRESSURE CONTROLLED MEANS TO MOVE SAID DIAPHRAGM BETWEENEXPANDED AND CONTRACTED POSITIONS, MEANS FOR LIMITING MOVEMENT OF SAIDDIAPHRAGM TO PROVIDE A SELECTED CONSTANT, PREDETERMINED CHANGE OF VOLUMEOF THE DISCHARGE CHAMBER BETWEEN SAID EXPANDED AND CONTRACTED POSITIONSOF THE DIAPHRAGM, SPRING MEANS URGING SAID CONTROL MEANS TO RETAIN SAIDDIAPRAGM IN ITS EXPANDED POSITION CORRESPONDING TO THE MAXIMUM VOLUME OFTHE DISCHARGE CHAMBER, SAID DISPENSING HEAD INCLUDING AN INLET OPENINGHAVING AN ASSOCIATED VALVE SEATING AND COMMUNICATING WITH SAID CONDUITMEANS, NONRETURN VALVE MEANS IN THE FORM OF A VALVE UNIT OF FLEXIBLEMATERIAL HAVING A BODY PORTION SECURED WITHIN THE DISPENSING HEAD AND ADISPLACEABLE PORTION INTEGRAL WITH THE BODY PORTION AND COOPERATING WITHSAID VALVE SEATING, WHEREBY UPON OPERATION OF SAID PRESSURE CONTROLMEANS TO CONTRACT THE DIAPHRAGM, THE DISPLACEABLE PORTION OF THE VALVEUNIT IN THE DISPENSING HEAD IS UNSEATED TO PERMIT EJECTION OF SAIDPREDETERMINED VOLUME OF LIQUID THROUGH SAID RESTRICTED OPENING AND UPONREMOVAL OF PRESSURE FROM SAID CONTROL MEANS, THE DISPLACEABLE PORTION OFTHE VALVE UNIT IS CAUSED, BY VIRTUE OF THE PRESSURE DIFFERENCE SET UP ONOPPOSITE SIDES THEREOF, TO SEAT ON SAID VALVE SEATING TO MINIMIZE BACKFLOW TO LIQUID TO THE DISCHARGE CHAMBER.